Memory Hold The Door

Calhoun Allen Mays1884-1967

Calhoun Mays was born in Edgefield County in 1884. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 1906 and then taught school. He studied law at the University of Michigan and, after being admitted to the Bar, he began a 56 year-long practice in Greenwood. He was well known for his diligence, knowledge of the law and skillful vigor. He had fine ideals, a desire for better things, a discriminating judgment of legal matters and of men. He cherished friends and family and was alert to help young people.

He married Mae Marshall Trammell and they had a daughter and two sons, one of whom became his law partner. A leader in the church, in civic affairs, and the historical, political and professional affairs of his community, he was twice elected State Senator and was chairman of the State Archives Commission from 1949 until 1965.

He served as a Special Circuit Judge on many occasions, as President of the South Carolina Bar Association (1956) and the Greenwood County Bar Association, as a member of the American Bar Association and the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. He worked to improve the rules of civil court procedure and led in establishing the Bar examination as a prerequisite to practice.